US President Joe Biden’s administration plans to propose a US$1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan. That’s according to a report by US-based newspaper Politico.
The news comes as China continues to regularly send warships and aircraft into the Taiwan Strait. China even held unprecedented live-fire drills around Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in early August. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to take it.
The arms package would include 60 anti-ship missiles, 100 air-to-air missiles, as well as a surveillance radar contract extension. The 100 air-to-air missiles are to be used on Taiwan’s US-made F16 fighter jets.
Once the US administration formalizes the plan, the arms sale proposal must be approved by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It then needs the go-ahead from the heads of the Democratic and Republican parties before it can be finalized. The proposal is expected to pass, though it could be delayed until after the US Congress returns from its summer recess.